Monday, May 09, 2016

New Toyota Hilux and Toyota Fortuner launched in Malaysia - Some thoughts

And meanwhile, Toyota have launched the all-new Toyota Hilux pickup and the Hilux based Fortuner SUV here in Malaysia. The Fortuner is based on the Hilux and both benefit from a more rigid chassis and a more rigid chassis to body mounting setup. More rigidity means a lot of things but what you do get is less NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) inside, better road manners. More refinement overall. More looks too, especially the Fortuner. Very modern and a lot of Lexus styling cues making this no longer looking like a budget looking SUV. 



For Malaysia, the 2016 Hilux comes with six variants in Double Cab and Single Cab form with two engine options - the 2.4 litre and 2.8-litre diesel engines. Prices start from RM89,000 onwards. This new Hilux is already available at all Toyota showrooms.

The 2016 Fortuner comes in two variants and the entry fee is RM189,900 onwards. You get a newly-developed 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine or the petrol guzzling 2.7-litre petrol engine. Buy the diesel. More torque also. The Fortuner will be available for sale in June 2016 but you could go get one booked right now. I also heard that this drives so much better than before and it does not drive like its based on the Hilux. Good news eh.

Actually, this is the first time I am hearing that Toyota put more effort than usual to any of their new cars. This one has a better chassis, better soundproofing, better equipment, better engines, better this, better that. Usually I hear engines and gearboxes carried over from the previous model with just a new body put onto it. This is different. And I actually laud Toyota for it.

But actually it wouldn't matter even if it did. I always note that when it comes to Toyota pickups and SUVs, people just buy the darn thing regardless of whether the engine came from 1945. 

It's a Toyota. It is reliable and the resale value is good. Everything else is secondary. 

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